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Why Choose Us?
Once using us, we trust that you can answer this question for others. We are known as a “click & brick” company, which means that we have a brick & mortar location manned by season travel professionals, and we also have an internet presence including many booking engines and access to lots of information. Moreover, for those who understand the technical side a bit, we have our own IP numbers, operate our own redundant mail server, and manage our IT services in-house. Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of using our services; primarily as compared to the online-only agencies. Our largest single disadvantage is that our multiple booking engines can be a bit cumbersome and confusing to people. But it is better than not having access to and displaying the offerings of some of the world’s largest and most respected wholesalers.
SIZE
As a Carlson Wagonlit Travel agency, we are a member of the largest travel consortium in the world. Other well known Carlson companies include Radisson, Regent, Country Inn & Suites hotel chains, Seven Seas Cruise Line, TGI Fridays, and many others that encircle travel roots. www.carlson.com
- Online-Only: There are now many thousands of them and most are much smaller than their web sites would have you believe. The big 3-4 are very large, but none are as large as Carlson.
- FEATURES
- Online-Only: Both online and offline, our services include offerings from chartered air and other discount airlines. Air aside, there are many well established specialty tour operators that we have access to whereas the online-only agencies do not. This advantage becomes even more profound when traveling to Europe and other continents.
We have a staff of highly seasoned travel professionals with an average of over 15 years experience in this industry per person. We have been there, and we know the answers to your questions.
- Online-Only: If it isn’t posted, you have no way of finding out the answers to your questions and/or concerns. If you can get someone of the phone for specific questions, they will likely be a customer service representative reading queue cards and not be of much help for issues not already listed online.
We are open six days a week in addition and most Sunday afternoons.
- Online-Only: Just like us, their web sites are open 24/7, but for questions, their “experts” that are available to speak with typically are not personally familiar with anything that is not listed on their queue cards. In-house, we are normally open 7 days a week with Saturday being at least 10:00A - 2:00P and Sundays being noon-3:00P.
Our services are competitive with all others and lower than many. booking a tour or a cruise directly from the vendor and/or cruise line is never a lower cost to you.
- Online-Only: This can be true with online-only places as well, at least at the time of your booking, but If the price drops after you book, you are stuck with the price you paid. This is often not the case with our agency.
- Brick & Mortar: We often have Carlson negotiated specials and prices that others do not have access to.
We can lower your booking price should your price happen to drop after booking, often times even after final payment. Also we only require deposits rather than full payment for bookings made well in advance of travel dates.
- Online-Only: Forget it. They watch for prices reductions very closely in an effort to increase their profits, but you will seldom see this reduction passed on to you. It then becomes their “gain” Most travel purchased online requires full payment.
- With all of the craziness going on with flight cancellations, last minute changes and things, we are there to work through any issues that may arise before, during, and after your trip.
- Online-only: Clearly, this is much more difficult, and has caused numerous problems
- Brick & Mortar: Most places are equally as good as us in the regard. If something is canceled or changed at the last minute, they will normally go to great lengths to inform you.
We can handle every detail encircling groups of all sizes whether it be an extended family, a business incentive trip, or whatever. Also, we pass group discounts and amenities on the group
- Online-Only: These places are simply not set up or designed to accommodate groups.
- Brick & Mortar: Some are better than others, but few are as good as us.
- For large groups, we can offer a host or hostess to handle all ongoing details throughout the trip.
- Online-Only: Obviously this does not apply.
- Brick & Mortar: Most places are not in the position to offer this accommodation
- We are known as a “click & brick” company, which means that we have a brick & mortar location manned by season travel professionals, and we also have an internet presence including many booking engines and access to lots of information. Moreover, for those who understand the technical side a bit, we will also mention that we have our own IP numbers, operate our own redundant mail server, and manage our IT services in-house.
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